The Sporkful

Sam Kass, former chef for the Obamas and a nutrition advisor, shares captivating tales of cooking in the White House. He details the quirks of preparing meals on Air Force One and how he created the 'lucky pasta' dish. Kass also discusses the challenges of improving school lunch nutrition against corporate interests, revealing the complexities of food policy. Adding a light twist, he engages in a humorous debate about New York versus Chicago pizza, highlighting the intersection of food, politics, and health.

Bobby Flay, celebrated chef and Food Network star, shares insights from his journey, from busboy to culinary titan. He discusses the key lessons behind his longevity in an industry defined by challenges, particularly his unique approach to dealing with losses, both on TV and in life. Flay details his experiences on competitive cooking shows and the recipes from his new book, 'Chapter One', revealing the importance of culinary authenticity. He blends lighthearted banter with deep reflections on fame, humility, and the evolving landscape of cooking.

Join Trinidadian mother Dali Serju, who celebrates Diwali with rich family food traditions, and DJ Rekha, an Indian-American cultural ambassador known for her hip hop and Punjabi music blends. They discuss the vibrant fusion of Trinidadian and Indian cultures, emphasizing the joy of cooking together as a family and the significance of Diwali's rituals. Expect delightful anecdotes about favorite dishes, the importance of community in celebrations, and how shared meals strengthen cultural identity, all wrapped in laughter and warmth.

Morgan Spurlock, the mastermind behind the game-changing documentary "Super Size Me," discussed his journey alongside his ex-wife, vegan chef Alex Jameson, and speaking agent Sean Lawton. They delve into the film's groundbreaking impact on health education and the fast-food industry. The conversation also touches on Spurlock's personal struggles, the cultural relevance of the documentary after two decades, and the complexities of navigating controversy. Additionally, they reflect on Spurlock's bravery in the face of a cancer diagnosis, offering heartfelt anecdotes.

Jet Tila, a Food Network star and master of Pan-Asian cuisine, shares his journey from his family's Thai market—the first in the U.S.—to record-breaking cooking feats. He opens up about the challenges of introducing Thai food to new audiences and recalls defending his family's store during the LA riots. The discussion dives into the logistics of preparing authentic Pad Thai for 20,000 people, highlighting the innovative techniques needed to maintain flavor and quality on such a massive scale.

Comedian Ed Gamble, known for his role in Off Menu and his book Glutton, shares his lifelong love for food, from childhood calamari dreams to judging desserts on Great British Menu. He candidly discusses his type 1 diabetes diagnosis at 13 and his evolving relationship with food, balancing taste and health as a culinary judge. With humor, he tackles issues of body image and the identity challenges of being a comedian. Plus, he humorously debates the classic popadoms versus bread question, blending food and laughter effortlessly.

Sammy Hagar, the iconic former Van Halen frontman and tequila entrepreneur, teams up with legendary French chef Jacques Pepin, renowned for his approachable culinary style. They share hilarious personal anecdotes, including a wild encounter with a dead deer, revealing the strong ties between food, family, and memories. The duo explores the creative similarities between cooking and songwriting and emphasizes the joy of combining casual eats with gourmet dining. Their insights celebrate the unifying power of food across different backgrounds.

In honor of National Pasta Month, Dan shares the story of how his pasta shape, cascatelli, ended up in a design museum in Germany. When he travels with his family to see the exhibition, al dente: Pasta & Design at the HfG Archiv-Ulm, he finds it’s more incredible, and powerful, than he ever expected. Listen to find out why. Then, later in the episode, Dan talks with the founders of a highly selective club called “The Glutamates”: cookbook author Andrea Nguyen and bread nerd extraordinaire Andrew Janjigian. They each contributed one very special recipe to Dan’s cookbook, Anything’s Pastable — and fundamentally changed the way Dan thinks about pasta in the process. Hear the stories behind these recipes, and how they helped set Dan’s cookbook on a different course.A few links:Sfoglini’s Sporkful Pasta & Anything’s Pastable Gift Set (20% off through Oct. 17, 2024)Sichuan Magic Dust Popcorn recipeThe Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Nora Ritchie, Jared O'Connell, and Giulia Leo. Transcription by Emily Nguyen.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, we’re talking with two cookbook authors about how Jewish food around the world has evolved, and where it’s going next. For decades, Jewish home cooks have turned to Joan Nathan for a taste of the familiar, and for a window into what Jews in other parts of the world eat. Dan talks with Joan about why her first cookbook was initially rejected by 16 publishers, and the Arab chicken dish she ate in Israel that changed her life. Then, Dan talks with Jeremy Salamon, part of a new guard of Jewish chefs pushing the cuisine forward. His Hungarian-Jewish restaurant in Brooklyn, Agi’s Counter, has received national acclaim, but he’s also heard from some unhappy Hungarians who came in looking for an old world approach. He tells Dan about his first restaurant job when he was 11, and why his grandmother is his best publicist. Joan Nathan’s new book is My Life In Recipes: Family, Food, And Memories. Her upcoming book, A Sweet Year: Jewish Celebrations and Festive Recipes for Kids and Their Families, is available for pre-order. Jeremy Salamon’s book is Second Generation: Hungarian and Jewish Classics Reimagined for the Modern Table. We are giving away a copy of My Life in Recipes and Second Generation! To enter to win a copy, all you have to do is sign up for our newsletter by October 18. If you’re already signed up, then you’re already entered to win. Open to US addresses only. Sign up now at sporkful.com/newsletter.The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O’Hara, Nora Ritchie, Jared O'Connell, and Giulia Leo. Transcription by Emily Nguyen.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We explore the history of an iconic American food couple — cereal and milk — with help from New York Times food correspondent Kim Severson and author Mark Kurlansky.This episode originally aired on December 17, 2018 and was produced by Dan Pashman, Anne Saini, and Aviva DeKornfeld, edited by Gianna Palmer, and mixed by Dan Dzula.  The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Nora Ritchie, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Transcription by Emily Nguyen.Every other Friday, we reach into our deep freezer and reheat an episode to serve up to you. We're calling these our Reheats. If you have a show you want reheated, send us an email or voice memo at hello@sporkful.com, and include your name, your location, which episode, and why.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.